Control circuit for continuously operating electrophotographic printers



June 16, 1953 1.. B. BUTTERFIELD EIAL 2,641,997

' CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHICPRINTERS Filed Sept. 21, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet l 'fl/s W I ATTORNEY June1953 L. B. BUTTERFIELD ETAL 2,641,997

CONTROL cmcun FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERSFiled Sept. 21, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 1&7 1.43

If! 2, I Z// INVENTORS jomlflzafleyzld Jbkn if. 501102;.

BY I

A'rrRNEY June 6, 9 L. B. BUTTERFIELD ETAL 2,641,997

CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERSl0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 21, 1950 myrsmoxs Zouzls 3.501%917556 BYrJb/LW/Z Julzeq;

I 6/ ATTORNEY n 6, 9 3 1.. B. BUTTERFIELD ETAL 2,641,997

CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERSFiled Sept. 21, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 film/Y2 JuZzer; W

ATTRNEY June 6, 1953 L- a. BUTTERFIELD EIAL 2,641,997

' CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING EECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERSl0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 21, 1950 1."; k ATTORNEY June 6, 1953 L.B. BUTTERFIELD ETAL 2,64

CQNTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERSFiled Sept. 21, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet e dbilvwff 5205.227;

ATTORNEY June 16, 1953 Filed Sept. 21, 1950 L. B. BUTTERFIELD EI'AL2,641,997

CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERSl0 Sheets-Sheet '7 ATTORNEY June 16, 1953 L. B. BUTTERFIELD ETAL2,641,997

CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERS10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 21, 1950 L. B. BUTTERFIELD ETAL 2,641,997CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING June 16, 1953ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERS 1O Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Sept. 21, 1950 QMLN INVENTOR6 TTORNEY June 16, 1953 L. B. BUTTERFIELD ETAL comm. cmcunFOR cou'rmuousm OPERATING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERS 1O Sheets-Sheet10 Filed Sept. 21, 1950 w WW w e m m M a a B \m\ Patented June 16, 1953UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTINUOUSLY OPERATINGELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERS Application September 21, 1950, Serial No.186,008

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a control system for electrophotographicreproduction or electrostatic printing and more particularly to such asystem utilizing record controlled means for comparing the numericaldesignation of a material, such as a microfilm to be reproduced with thematerial designation data on the record means so that the reproducerwill not operate unless the material designation data on the recordmeans is identical with the numerical designation of the material to bereproduced.

The system also utilizes the record control means to simultaneouslycontrol a predetermined number of copies to be reproduced and set up aselectively movable character bearing means for printing a permutationof characters representative of the record means data on each copyreproduced.

The recent introduction of the use of electrophotographic printing,while presenting a great theoretical improvement over the existingprinting methods, is considerably limited in commercial applicationbecause of the complete lack of a system or apparatus which can utilizethe best qualities of the electrophotographic process and yet completecommercially with present high speed printers. The present devices forelectrophotographic printing are manually operated and require a largenumber of independent manually performed steps in order to produce asingle printed copy, and no means is provided to print copies of morethan one desired object in an automatically controlled sequence.

Consequently, an object of this invention is to provide a recordcontrolled image reproducer which is started and stopped automaticallyunder the control of a circuit responsive to a record means, saidcircuit also controlling the sequential positioning of a plurality ofadjustable character means for recording indicia on each copyreproduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of steppingrelays sequentially moved into predetermined positions under the controlof the record means for starting and stopping the electrostaticreproducer in response to indicia on the record means.

Another object is to provide a control circuit for a reproducer whereinthe control circuit initiates operation thereof. for a predetermined,

number of cycles and simultaneously aligns a plurality of characterbearing means for printing a predetermined permutation of characters oneach of a series of reproduced copies.

'In'accordance with these and other objects, an

embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of self-indexingrotary stepping relays which are sequentially indexed into predeterminedpositions under the control of punched tapes or record cards bearing thedesired controlling data or indicia. A plurality of switches or contactsare provided on each stepping relay and certain ones are closed whenparticular relays are stopped at the desired predetermined position. Afirst group of these stepping relays control through their contacts thestarting of the printer or reproducer conjointly with the operation of asensing means controlled by indicia on the material to be reproduced. Asecond group of these stepping relays establishes a counting circuit sothat the reproducer is stopped after a predetermined number of copieshave been printed. Each of a plurality of sprocket wheels individuallyengaging one of a plurality of endless character stenciling belts isdirectly connected to diiierent shafts of the stepping relays so thatthe movement of the relay shafts into their respective predeterminedpositions rotates a permutation of stencil characters into alignment ata printing position. This permutation of the aligned characters isrepresentative of the indicia or data on the record card or tape and isprinted on each reproduced copy so as to identify with regard to anydesired data such as order number, image number, date, etc.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system for controlling the operation ofan automatic start-stop electrostatic printer or reproducer embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the manner in which Figs. 3 to 11 ofthe drawings are positioned adjacent each other to form a completecircuit diagram of the electrical controls for the system of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 to 11 are circuit diagrams including most of the elements of thereproducing system diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a holder imprinting position forholding microfilm or material to be reproduced;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side view of the holder witih a microfilmtherein in printing position; an

14 is an isometric view of the character printing head controlled by thecircuit shown in Figs. 3 to 11, inclusive.

Referring now to th drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate thsam elements throughout the several views, and more particularly to Fig.1 of the drawings, a tape controlled decoding circuit 2d and a punchedcard controlled decoding circuit 25 are connected through conductorcables 22, 23 to contacts 25% and 25, re-= spectively, of a two positionswitch 26. Each of the cables 22 and 23 contains a plurality ofconductors and each conductor is designated to represent a differentalphabetic, numerical or p-unctuative character. Either the carddecoding circuit 2! or the tape decoding circuit is, whichever is used,connects ground to a particular single conductor in either the cable 22or 23 I tively adjustable to print the same data on each in response toa predetermined permutation or" holes in the card or tape, whichpemutation is representative of the alphabetic, numerical, or

punctuative character designation of the conductor to which ground isconnected.

The switch 26 is moved to close a circuit through either contact 2 3 orso as to connect each of the designated conductors in either the cable22 or 23 in parallel with a plurality of banks of like designatedcircularly arranged contacts or switches on a series of stepping relaysin a relay circuit 2i.

A first group of the plurality of relays or automatic selectors incircuit 2! is indexed into the predetermined positions on the circularlyar-' ranged contacts'by either the tape or card decoding circuits 2% or2i by means of an internal hunting arrangement so as to register apredeter-' ined number representative of the designation of the materialto be reproduced on a coincidence circuit 28. The coincidence circuit 25is also under the control of a, sensing means in a reproducer 29, whichsensing means is responsive to indicia on the material to 'be reproducedrepresenting the numerical designation of this material" The circuit 23compares the two numerical designations and starts the reproducer 25only when the designations are identical, thus preventing operation ofthe reproducer 25} unless the material in reproducing position isidentical with the material which it is desired to reproduce,

as indicated by the indicia on the tape or card.

record means.

A second group of relays or automatic selectors' in the circuit 2? isindexed into predetermined positions to set up a counting circuit iiiwhich is responsive to each printing movement of the reproducer 29. Whenthe predetermined number of copies of the material to be reproduced hasbeen printed, which number is determined by the predetermined positionof the second group of relays in circuit 2'1, the counting circuit llejects the material which has been reproduced.

If, at this time, there is no more material to be printed, thereproducer 29 is stopped under th control of the counting circuit il.However, if there is additional material to be printed, the ejection ofthe material, copies of which have been rinted, serves to release all ofthe relays in the circuit 2? so that they are once again sequentiallyindexed into predetermined positions in response to indicia on either anew record card or a new sequence of punched hole permutations on thetape. The new predetermined positions of the relays in circuit 2?controls the reproduction of copies of a second material.-

Circuit 27! continues to control the 'reproducer 29 in response to theindicia on either the record cards or tape until such time as the lastmaterial to be printed is ejected from the reproducer 2d I (Fig. 1).

copy made 'by the reproducer 29 as that which is represented by theindicia sensed by either the card decoding circuit 2! or the tapedecoding circuit 20. As the plurality of relays in circuit 2? issequentially indexed into predetermined positions representative ofcertain data on the record means, the printing head 23 is likewiseselectively rotated to place stencil characters representative of saidrecord data in alignment in a stenciling position adjacent the path ofmovement of the copies from the reproducer 29.

Tape decoding circuit The tape decoding circuit 20 (Fig. 1) grounds a.

particular designated conductor 52 (Fig. 4) in the cable 22 in responseto a predetermined permutation of holes 5d (Fig. 3) in a record controltape 5i, which conductor 52 is designated by a character represented bythe permutation of holes 53 in the tape 5i. Referring now to Fig. 3 ofthe drawings, a switch 53 having two contacts 5 1, 55 and a secondswitch'56 having two contacts 5?, 58 ar provided for selecting eitherthe tape or the card controlled decoding circuits 20, 2! (Fig. 1) foruse in actuating the relay circuit 2i In order to use the tape decodingcircuit (Fig. 1), switch 53 (Fig. 3) is actuated to close contact 55,and switch 56 is actuated to close contact 58. A switch 59 connectsgrounded battery (50 to a clutch operating solenoid "iii and is closedby an operator when it is desired to use the tap decoding circuit 20(Fig. 1).

Operation of the tape decoding circuit 20 is initiated by manuallyclosing a start key "H to energize a start relay it? from groundedbattery '53. Operation of start relay l2 closes contacts M, 15, it and.85] thereof. Contact 85, when closed, connects grounded battery 73through the operating coil of the relay 72 through a conductor H, acontact 58 of a release switch 79 (Fig. '4), a conductor 90 and anormally closed contact 9! of an end of cycle relay 92 to ground,

This circuit holds the relay l2 operated after the start key ll isreleased to remove its ground from the operating coil of relay 12.

Contact 88, when closed, connects a battery St to theoperating coil of arelay 82 (Fig. 11)]v through a conductor 83 and a normally closed. Theother side of relay 8.2. isv

limit switch 85. connected to ground so that operation of the startrelay '12 operates relay 82 to close a contact 84 associated therewith.

Contact it, when closed, connects grounded battery 73 through aconductor 93, a contact 94 of a relay (Fig. 6), a conductor 96 (Figs. 3and 6), the contact 58 of switch 56, a conductor 9?, a contact 98 of aletters relay 99 (Fig. 4)., a contact H0, and thence through a conductor1 i2 to the operating coils of a plurality of decoding relays H3, H4,H5, Ht, Ill, li8,'ll9 and I20 (Figs. 3 and 4),. The other sides of theoperating coils of the decoding relays H3 to I21), inclusive, areconnected through conductorslw, l3l, E32, E33, its to a plurality oftape sensing brushes I35, I38, 37,138 and i391, respectively. Y IContact is, when .closed, completes a circuit from ground throughcontact 55 of switch 53, a conductor I50, a contact I5I of the decodingrelay H3 (Fig. 4), a conductor I60, a contact I52 of the relay II7, aconductor IBI, a contact I53 of the relay II8 (Fig. 3), a contact I54or" the relay I I9, a contact I55 of the relay I20, the tape transmitterclutch solenoid 70, switch 59, to grounded battery 99. This circuitenergizes a clutch of a tape transmitter 49 to move the tape 5I forwardone step so that a permutation of holes 59 representing a particularcharacter is positioned beneath the plurality of sensing brushes I35,I36, I37, I38 and I39.

Assuming a permutation of holes 50 as shown in Fig. 3, a grounded plateI40 positioned directly below the sensing brushes and the tape 5|applies ground to the permutation of brushes I35, I37, and I39 throughthe holes 50. Brush I36 connects ground through the conductor I3I to theoperating coils of relays H6, H7 and thence to battery 73 throughconductor II2, contact II I), conductor 97, contact 90, conductor 97,contact 58 of switch 56, conductor 96, contact 94 (Fig. 6), conductor93, and contact 76 (Fig. 3). Brush I37 completes a circuit from groundto battery 73 through the conductor I32, the operating coil of relay Hand the same circuit described in conjunction with the relays IIS andH7. Brush I39 completes a circuit from ground to battery 73 through theconductor I34 to the operating coil of relay I20 and thence to battery73 through the remainder of the battery circuit described in conjunctionwith the operation of the relays I I6, I I7 and H8.

The operation of relays H6, H7, H8 and I29 completes a circuit from agrounded arm I56 of the relay I29, through a contact I57 thereof, acontact I59 of relay II9, a contact I59 of the relay II8, a contact I70of the relay H6, a contact I7I of the relay M4 to a conductor 52 of thecable 22. This conductor is designated F as shown by the characterpositioned adjacent the contact I7I of relay H4. The particulardesignation shown for the conductor 52 is representative of the data orindicia on the tape which indicia comprises the holes 50' punched in thetape 5I so as to ground sensing brushes I36, I37 and I39.

Each of the conductors 52 in the cable 22 is connected to a likedesignated conductor 3I3 from the card decoding circuit 2| (Fig. 5) toform a cable I72. However, it is to be noted that the tape decodingcircuit 2I provides three (3) punctuative character designations; i. e.,a period a dash and a diagonal which are not provided by the carddecoding circuit 2I so that there are three (3) more conductors 52 thanconductors 3I3. Each of the conductors in the cable I72 is parallellyconnected to like designated contacts I73 on each of the plurality ofstepping relays in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 through a plurality of conductorsI74.

When decoding relays H6, H7, H8 and I20 operate to ground a designatedconductor 52, the relays H7, H9 and I20 also open the contacts I52, I53,and I55 of the transmitter clutch energizing circuit. Interruption ofthis circuit disconnects the drive of the tape transmitter 40 so thatthe permutation of holes 50 remains under the sensing brushes I36, I37and I39.

The operation of the start key H and subsequent operation of start relay72 connects battery 73 through contact 76, conductor 93 (Figs. 3 and 6),contact 94, a conductor 95, a contact I75 of the relay 95, a conductorI76, a contact I77 of a self indexing stepping relay I78 to the groundedoperating coil thereof. This stepping relay continuously rotates itsassociated shaft I007 (Fig. 14) carrying a pair of electricallyinterconnected selector arms I79, I (Fig. 6) to sequentially move thearms I7 9, I90 over a plurality of circularly arranged contacts I73 andto complete a circuit between each of the contacts I73 and a circularconducting ring I9I. The ring I9I is connected through a conductor I92,a contact I93 of a relay I94, a conductor I95 through the operating coilof relay 95 to the battery conductor 93.

Whenever the selector arm I79 is stepped into a position upon a contactI73 grounded through one of the plurality of conductors I74 connected inparallel with the conductors of the cable I72, a circuit is completedfrom the grounded conductor 52 through cables 22 and I72, conductor I74,contact I73, arms I79, I90, ring I9I, conductor I92, contact I93,conductor I95, the operating coil of relay 95, to the battery conductor93. This circuit operates the relay 95 to ciose a contact I96 and opencontacts 95 and I75.

Contact I96 in closing connects ground from a normally closed groundedcontact I97 of relay I98 (Fig. 10) through a conductor I99 (Figs. 4 and10), a contact 2I0 of release switch 79 (Fig. 4), a conductor 2II,contact I96 of relay 95 to the operating coil of the relay I94.

The removal of the energization of the stepping relay I73 by openingcontact I75 stops the rotation of the selector arms I79 and I90 thereofso that they remain in position on the F designated contact I73 groundedby the decoding circuit 20.

The removal of battery 73 from conductor 96 by opening contact 94 breaksthe energizing circuit of the relays H6, H7, H8, and I20 and therebycloses contacts I52, I53 and I55 to complete the energizing circuit orthe tape transmitter clutch solenoid 70. The energization of the tapetransmitter clutch solenoid 70 operatively connects the driving unit ofthe tape transmitter 49 to the tape indexing means so that a newpermutation of holes 50 is moved into position between the sensingbrushes I35 to I39, inclusive, and the grounded plate I40.

The release of the decoding relays H5, II7, H8 and I29 also opens thecircuit grounding the conductor F extending through the con tacts I57,I58, I59, I70 and HI so that ground is removed from the circuitextending from the formerly grounded F contact I73 through the selectorarms I79, I90, ring I9I, conductor I92, contact I93 and the operatingcoil of the relay 95 to grounded battery 73 (Fig. 3) through theconductor 93 and contact 76. However, relay 95 remains operated sinceground is provided thereto from contact I97 (Fig. 10) through theoperating coil of relay I94 and contact I95, now closed.

The removal of ground from contact I93 removes the ground shuntextending therethrough and around the operating coil of the relay I94 sothat relay I94 is operated from battery conductor 93 through theoperating coil of relay 95, conductor I95, the operating coil of relayI94, contact I96, and thence to grounded conductor 2II. Operation ofrelay I94 closes a contact 2I2 and opens contact I93.

The opening of contact I93 prevents the release of relay 794 in theevent that the contact designated as F is grounded by a subsequentpermutation of holes 50.

Contact 212, in closing, connects a grounded battery 2I3 through aconductor 2I4, a contact 2I5 of a relay 2I6 to the battery conductor 96.This re-energization of battery conductor 96 once again provides batteryto the operating windings of the decoding relays I I3 to I20, inclu-Assuming that the next conductor 52 to be grounded by the decodingcircuit 20 is designated by either a numerical or a punctuativecharacter, a selective operational stunt code comprising a permutationof holes 50 grounding brushes I35,

I36, I38 and I39 is moved into sensing position. This permutation ofholes grounds the brushes I35, I36, I38 and I39 to energize the decodingrelays H3 to H1, inclusive, H9, and I20 through the conductors I30, I3I,I33 and I34.

mally closed contact 232 of relay 233 to a con-' to the grounded battery238 operates these three relays to close a new permutation of contactsassociated therewith.

. The contact H is opened by the operation of relay 235 and breaks thebattery circuit energizing the plurality of decoding relays II3 to I20,inclusive, so that the contacts previously closed thereby are nowopened.

The operation of relay 235 also closes a grounded switch arm 25I to acontact 252 associated therewith which completes a circuit extendingfrom the grounded battery 238 through the resistor 239, conductor 250,the parallelly connected operating windings of the figures 1'e-- lays235, 236 and 231, conductor 232, the oper-; ating coil of relay 233, aconductor 253, contact: This circuit:

252, and grounded switch arm 25!. operates relay 233 to open contacts254, 232 and to close a contact 255. Although contact 232;

in opening, breaks the ground circuit to the op-- erating coil of therelays 235, 235 and 231, they remain operated from the ground providedby contact 252.

The contact 255, in closing, connects battery from the conductor 91,through contact 255 and a, conductor 256 to the conductor I I2 whichprovides'battery to the operating windings or" the decoding relays II 3to I29, inclusive. Contact 254, in opening, breaks the circuit extendingfrom a contact 251 of the relay H3 through a conductor 258, the contact254, a conductor 259 and thence through the operating coil of theletters relay 99 to a grounded battery 210.

Also, the transmitter clutch energizing solenoid 10 is again actuated bythe closure of contacts I5I, I52, I54, I55 to advance a thirdpermutation of holes into position between the sensing brushes I35 toI39, inclusive, and the grounded plate I40.

The completion of the battery circuit to the operating windings of thedecoding relays II3 to I25, inclusive, by closing contact 255 allowsthese relays to operate in response to the third permutation of holes 53moved into position beneath the sensing brushes I 150139, inclusive.-

Assuming that a conductor 52 designated by the numerical character 1 isto be grounded, relays I20, IIB,-I'I1, H6, H5, H4 and H3 are operatedfrom grounded plate I40 through sensing brushes I35, I36, I31, I39 andconductors I30, I 3I, I32 and I34, respectively. Operation of these fourrelays completes a circuit from grounded switch arm I56, through contactI51, contact I58, contacts I59, I10, 3, contact 21I of the relay I I4 toa contact 212 of the figures relay 236. This circuit grounds aparticular conductor 52 designated by the numerical character 1 asrepresented by the character appearing adjacent the contact 212 in Fig.the drawings.

' As explained hereinbefore in conjunction with the description of thefirst permutation of holes 50 representing the alphabetic character F,one of the stepping relays in the circuit 21 rotates its associatedselector arm until the particu-' lar contact I13 grounded by theconductor 52 and designated by the numerical character 1 is reached. Atthis time, the relays associated with this particular stepping relaybreak the battery circuit to the plurality of decoding relays II3 toI20, inclusive, and subsequently transfer battery.

energization to the next proceeding stepping relay stage whereupon thedecoding relays II3 to I25, inclusive, are once again provided withbattery through the conductor II2. Also, the completion of the circuitthrough the selector arms from the grounded contact I13 designated bythe numerical character 1 re-establishes the ground circuit to battery55 through the tape transmitter clutch solenoid 10 so that once again anew permutation of holes 50 is moved into position between the groundedplate I40 and the plurality of sensing brushes I35 to I39, inclusive.

If it is desired to provide a space in the printing head 43 between thenumerical character 1 and the next following character, a single hole 50is moved into the sensing position so as to ground sensing brush I31;Grounded sensing brush I31 completes a circuit extending from groundedplate I45 through the conductor I32 to the operating coil of the relayH8 and thence to battery conductor I12 so as to operate this relay.Relay I I8, in operating, completes a circuit from the grounded switcharm I56 through a contact 213 thereof, a contact 214 of the relay H9, acontact 215 of the relay I I8, a contact 216 of the relay I I6, acontact 211 of the relay I I5 and a contact 218, now closed, of thefigures relay 231 whereby a particular conductor 52 designated by spaceis grounded.

As explained above in conjunction with the sensing of the first andthird permutation of holes 50, another stepping relay in the circuit 21rotates its selector arm into position on a grounded contact I13connected to the space designated conductor in the cable I12 to removeenergization from the plurality of decoding relays H3 to I20, inclusive,to stop the rotating selector arm on the grounded space contact I13, totransfer the energizatio-n to the next proceeding stepping relay in thecircuit 21, and to energize the tape transmitter clutch solenoid 10 tomove a new permutation of holes into position beneath the plurality ofsensing brushes I35 to I39, inclusive.

In the event that the next conductor 52 which it is. desired to groundis designated by an alphabetical character and not a numerical or punctuative character, a second operational selective .stunt code comprisingholes 50 positioned in the 9 tape 5| so as to ground all of the sensingbrushes I35 to I39, inclusive, is moved into sensing position.Accordingly, all of the decoding relays II3 to I 29, inclusive, areoperated so as to close a circuit extending from grounded switch arm I56through the contacts 451, 2 I1, a contact 219 of the relay I I3, acontact 299 of the relay I II, a contact 29I of the relay I and thencethrough a conductor 292 to the conductor 259. This circuit provides aground shunt around a battery 233 so as to deprive the operating coilsof the figures decoding relays 235, 236, and 231 and the figures relay233 of energization so that these relays release.

The release of relays 23-5 and 239 completes a battery circuit from theconductor 91 through the contact II9 to the relay 235 by closing contactIII) and opening contact 255.

A grounding circuit completed by the release of relay 233 connects agrounded switch arm 293 of the relay I29 (Fig. 3 through a contact 294thereof, a contact 295 of the relay II9, a contact 296 of the relay H8,a contact 291 of the relay I I1, contact 251, conductor 258, contact 254of the relay 233, conductor 259 and thence through the operating coil ofletters relay 99 to grounded battery 219.

This circuit energizes the letters relay 99 to open the contact 98. Theopening of contact 93 breaks the battery circuit to the plurality ofdecoding relays II3 to I29, inclusive, so that these relays are allreleased. Release of the plurality of the decoding relays once againcompletes the circuit energizing the tape transmitter clutch solenoid 19so that a sixth permutation of holes 59 representing an alphabeticalcharacter is moved into position beneath the plurality of sensingbrushes I35 to I39, inclusive. The release of the plurality of decodingrelays M3 to I29, inclusive, also breaks the ground circuit extendingfrom the grounded switch arm 293 through the plurality of contacts 294,295, 299, 291 and 254 so that the letter relay 99 is released to closethe contact 98 and to provide battery to the operating coils of theplurality of decoding relay H3 to I29, inclusive.

The sixth permutation of holes 59, in this instance representing analphabetic character, grounds a predetermined permutation of sensingbrushes I35 to I39, inclusive, so that a predetermined number of thedecoding relays H3 to I29, inclusive, are operated to close a groundingcircuit from the grounded switch arm I59 through the plurality ofcontacts associated with the relays IIS to 29, inclusive, and 295, 239,231. It is apparent that the hereinabove described method ofsequentially indexing each of the plurality of relays in the circuit 21into predetermined positions is progressively continued until suchtimeasall of the relays in circuit 21 have been indexed into a desiredposition under the control of the permutation of holes 59 in theadvancing punched tape 5I.

After the predetermined number of copies of the. material have been madeby the reproducer 29, the relay I98 (Fig. 10) is operated to opencontact I91. The opening of contact I91 removes ground from all of therelays associated with the stepping relays in circuit 21 to therebycondition circuit 21 for receipt of a new sequence of ground pulses onthe conductors in the copies of a second material such as a microfilm inthe same manner as that described for the first material.

When the last of the plurality of materials such as microfilm which areto be printed and has been ejected from the reproducer 29, the tapetransmitter clutch solenoid I9 is energized to advance a finalpermutation of holes 59 into sensing position beneath the brushes I35 toI39, inclusive. A single hole 59 representing the end of cycleoperational selective stun code onerates relays H9 and H1 through thebrush I36 and the conductor I3I to close a circuit from grounded switcharm I56 through contacts 213, 214, a contact 298 of the relay II8, acontact 299 of the relay II6, a contact 3I9 of the relay II5, aconductor 3H and thence to a grounded battery 3I2 through the operatingcoil of the relay 92.

Completion of this e ergizing circuit operates the relay 92 to open thecontact 9I thereof. Contact 9|, when open, breaks the holding circuit ofthe start relay 12 comprising grounded contact 9|, conductor 99, contact18, conductor 11 (Figs. 3 and 4), contact 15, the operating coil ofrelay 12 and grounded battery 13.

Start relay 12, when released, opens contacts 14, 15, 16 and 89 tocondition the circuit for operation when the start key H is once againactuated by the attendant.

Card decoding circuit The card decoding circuit 2I (Fig. 5) which may beused in place of the tape decoding circuit 29, grounds a particulardesignated conductor 3| 3 in response to a permutation of holes 3I4 in apunched card 3I5, which permutation of holes 3I4 is representative ofthe numerical or alphabetical character designation of the conductor 3I3to be grounded.

I; ii

In order to utilize the card decoding circuit 2| in place of the tapedecoding circuit 29, the switch 53 is actuated to close the contact 54and the switch 56 is actuated to close contact 51. Inasmuch as the tapetransmitter 49 will not be used, switch 59 is manually opened to removeenergization from the tape transmitter clutch solenoid 19. The operationof the card decoding circuit 2I is initiated in the same manner as thetape decoding circuit 29 by manually closing the start key II to operatethe start relay 12 from grounded battery 13. Y

Relay 12, in operating, closes contacts, 15, 16 and 89. Contact 15, inclosing, completes the holding circuit of the relay 12 extending fromthe grounded battery 13, the operating coil of relay 12, contact 15,conductor 11 (Figs. 3 and 4) contact 18, conductor 99 a, and thence toground through normally, closed contact 9 I. This holding circuitmaintains the start relay 12 in an operating condition even though themanual start key II is released.

Contact 89, in closing, operates relay 82 (Fig. 10) to close contact 84.

Closing contact 14 provides ground through contact 54 of switch 53, aconductor 3I6 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5), to a normally open contact 3I1 of arelay 3 I 8 (Fig. 5) and to the operating coil thereof through aconductor 3I9, a normally closed contact 339 of a relay 33I, contacts332, 333, and 334 and a conductor 335.

Contact 16, in closing, connects grounded. battery 13 through theconductor 93, contact 94 (Fig. 6), conductor 93, contact 51 or" switch56 (Fig. 3), a conductor 33B (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) to the operatll?ingj'coils of. a plurality of card decoding relays 33.1, 339', 33-9,349, 34!, and 3.42, and to the oper. ating coils of the relays 3!8 and33 I. The; ground side of the operating coilsof the three groups of carddecoding relays 331-, 3-38; 339, 349; 34.5, 342;.

are connected through conductors 343, 344, 345. to

grounded, the application of battery 13 through the hereinabovedescribed circuit to the operating coil of the relay 359 causes theenergization thereof. Operation of relay 3H3. closes a contact 392 andthe contact 3!? associated therewith.

Contact 3l'1, in closing, completes a circuit fromv a grounded, battery393 through. the operating: coil of a card indexing relay 394., aconductor 395, the contact 3!:1, conductor 3I9 (Figs. 3, 4 and5),contacts 54 and E4 to ground. This circuit operates the relay 394 toadvance an indexing' arm 393 associated therewith so that releasev ofthe relay 394 permits the. arm 399 thereof to advance the plate 39! andcard 3I5 thereon into the next sensing position against the pull of aspring 409.

A retaining pawl 599 extends into a notch on,

indexing plate 3.9!. to prevent return. spring 439 from returningindexing plat-e 39! to the first position while relay 394 is energizedand indexing, arm 3% is disengaged; from notches 492.. A relay 512 (Fig.8)., which operates. when all thestepping relays in circuit 21 are,indexed into their predetermined positions, connects ground through acontact 59! and a conductor 592- to operate a relay 599 (Fig; 5) from a,grounded battery 59!. Relay. 599-, operated, withdraws the retainingpawl 589' from the indexing notch 4.02 and thereby allows spring 499 toreturn the indexing plate 39! to-the first sensing position.

The relays in the. card decoding: circuit 2! are not energized'by theyreturn. of thecard 3 I 5 to the first sensing position since battery-isdisconnected from the conductor 399' by the completion ofthe indexing ofthe stepping relays in circuit 21.

Contact 392,. in closing, connects ground to a conductor; 3.13 in. thecable23 which is designated. by a space character. directly connected toa likedesignated conductor 52: in the cable 22 and grounds a likedesignated conductor in: the cable I12 (Figs. 5 and 6).. Asexpl'ained inconjunction with the operation of the. tape decoding circuit 23-, eachconductor in the cable E12; is connectedv in parallel with eachof thelike designated contacts I13 in the. circuit- 21 through conductors I14.

The stepping relay I18 (Fig. 6)., which is energized by the applicationof the grounded battery 13 tov the. conductors 93 and 9,6, progressivelyadvances its selector arms I13, 599 over the circularly arrangedcontacts I13 until the selector arm I19. thereof is positioned on theparticular contact I13 designated by the space character. At this time,a circuit is completed from grounded contact 392 through the conductors3I3 and 414, the selector arms I19 and I99, conducting ring I91,conductor I92, contact. I93, conductor I95, and. the operating coil ofrelay 95 to the battery This conductor 313 is conductor 93. Thiscircuit. energizes relay 9.5. to

open contacts 94 and I15 thereof and closes the associated contact I96.

As previously explained in conjunction with the description of theoperation of the tape decoding circuit 29, the opening of contact 94removes battery 13 from the conductor 96, which in this instance isconnected to the operating coils of therelays 331 to 342, inclusive, and3H8, 33! (Fig. 5) through the switch 56 and conductor 336. The openingof contact I15 removes the energization of the stepping relay I18 (Fig.6) so that the selector arm I19 thereof remains in position on the spacecontact I13. Contact I96, in closing,

applies ground from the conductor 2!! to the operating coils of therelays 95 and I94.

The removal of the energization of the relay 3!.9 (Fig. 5) allows thisrelay to release and in doing so opens contacts 3! 1 and 392. Contact 3I1, in opening, removes ground from the battery 393. so as to releasethe relay 394 and thereby permitsthe indexing arm 393 thereof to movetheplate 39! and card 3I5 carried thereon into a. second sensingposition beneath the plurality of brushes 353 to 36 I, inclusive.

Opening grounded contact 392 removes ground from the space designatedcontact I13 so that the energizing circuit of relay 95 is broken.However, since ground is provided to the operating coil of the relay 95(Fig. 6) through conductor 2! I, contact I99, and the operating coil ofrelay I94, the relay 95 remains operated, and the relay I94 becomesoperated to open contact I93 and close the contact. 2 l2.

Contact I93, in opening, prevents the premature release of relay I94 inthe event that: the space contact 513 is grounded by a subsequentpermutation of holes 3 I 4.

Contact 2I2, in closing, connects the grounded battery 2 I3 to theconductor 99 so that once again the plurality of relays 331 to 342,inclusive, of the card decoding circuit 2! are provided withenergization. In addition. battery 2! 3 is connected to the operatineoil of the second of the sequence of stepping relays in circuit 21 sothat this relay progressively advances its selector arms over theplurality of circularly arranged contacts I13 associated therewith.

Assuming that the next conductor M3 in the cable 23 to be grounded isdesignated by the alphabetical character J, the second permutation ofholes 3I4 moved into position beneaththe plurality of sensin brushes 359to 33L inclusive, comprises holes 3I4 grounding brushes 35! and 353.Brush 35! completes a circuit from the grounded plate 39! through theconductor 344, theoperating coils of relays 339 and 349 to the batteryconductor 339 so that these relays are operated. Brush 353 connectsgrounded plate 39! through the conductor 319, a contact 391 of the relay34 and a contact 393 oi the relay 34!] to the conductor 3 I 3 designatedas J by the character appearing adjacent the contact 398.

Contact 4I9, closed by the operation. of relay 349, connects groundthrough a conductor 4!], the conductor 395, the operating coil of theadvance relay 394 to groundedbattery 393 for completi'ng, the energizingcircuit of the relay 394 to.

actuate the indexing. arm 3% into advanced position.

Grounding the brush 353 also completes a 0110- cuit from ground throughthe conductor 3119, resistor 319, conductor 399, the operating coil ofrelay 33! to the battery conductor 336 whereby 13 the relay 331 isoperated to open the contact 339 and close a contact 399.

Contact 330, in opening, provides no useful function at this timeinasmuch as the operation of the relay 339 opens the contact 333 todisconnect grounded conductor 319 from the operating coil of the relay 3I 8 and thereby prevents its operation. The closure of contact 399 isalso not of interest since ground is applied to battery 393 through thecontact 410.

The ground applied to the conductor 313 designated by the character J inthe bundle 1'12 is connected thereby to the like designated contact 1'13in the bank of contacts 1'13 associated with the second stepping relayin the circuit 2'1. The continuing rotation of the selector armcontrolled by the second stepping relay advances these arms intoposition on the grounded contact 1'13 designated by J.

The completion of the circuit from the grounded conductor designated byJ completes the circuit through the relay associated with the secondstepping relay to recycle the card decoding circuit 21 in exactly thesame manner as described in conjunction with the operation of the firststepping relay 1'18.

The removal of battery from the conductor 336 releases relays 331, 339and 349. Relay 349, in releasing, removes ground from the operating coilof the advance relay 394 so that the indexing arm 396 thereof moves thegrounded plate 391 and card 315 carried thereon into a third sensingposition beneath the plurality of brushes 359 to 361, inclusive. Therelease of relay 349 and the advance of card 315 breaks the ground pathto contact 398 from brush 353. Relay 331, in releasing, opens contact399 and closes contact 339. Relay 339, in releasing, closes the contact333 to complete the circuit from the grounded conductor 319 to theoperating coil of the relay 318. However, relay 318 does not operate atthis time since battery has been removed by the recycling operation ofthe relays associated with the second stepping relay in circuit 2'1.

The removal of ground from the particular conductor designated by Jremoves ground from the particular contact 113 so as to complete therecycling of the relays associated with the second stepping relaywhereby battery is connected to both the third of the sequence ofstepping relays in circuit 2'1 and to the operating coils of theplurality of relays 33'! to 342 through the battery conductor 336.

Assuming that the figure 6 designates the next conductor 313 which it isdesired to ground, the third sensing position on the card 315 which waspreviously moved into position beneath the plurality of brushes 359 to361, inclusive, includes only a single hole 314 which grounds the brush358. The ground on brush 358 is applied through the conductor 3'15, acontact 412 of the relay 342, a contact 413 of the relay 339 and acontact 414 of the relay 331 to the conductor 313 designated by thedesired number 6.

The ground on brush 358 is also applied through the conductor 3'15,resistor 3'19, conductor 390 to operate the relay 331, which thereuponopens contact 339 and closes contact 399. Contact 330, in opening,breaks the ground circuit to the relay 318 so that it is not operated bythe battery on conductor 333. Contact 399, in closing, provides groundto the operating coil of the advancing relay 394 to Withdraw theindexing arm 39$ thereof into position to advance the plate 391.

The selector arms of the third of the sequence of stepping relays incircuit 21 upon touching the contact 1'13 designated by the number 6completes a circuit through the relays associated with said thirdstepping relay to remove the energize.- tion from the battery conductor336 and to open the energizing circuit of said third stepping relay.

Removal of the energization from the battery conductor 339 releasesrelay 331 so that contact 399 thereof, in opening, releases theadvancing relay 394 to index the plate 391 and card 315 carried thereoninto a fourth sensing position.

As the card 315 is indexed into the fourth sensing position, ground isremoved from the conductor designated by the number 6 to therebycomplete the recycling of the relays associated with the third steppingrelay in the circuit 21. The completion of the recycling of these relaysonce again energizes the next proceeding stepping relay in the circuit21 and also applies battery to the relays 33'! to 342, inclusive, in thecard decoding circuit 21.

It is obvious that the remaining stepping relays in the circuit 27 canbe indexed into predetermined positions representative of the sequenceof permutation of holes 314 in the card 315 until such time as all ofthe relays have been adjusted. When all of the stepping relays incircuit 2'1 reach their predetermined positions, relay 5'12 (Fig. 8)operates to connect ground to the operating coil of relay 599 (Fig. 5).Relay 599, operated, withdraws the retaining pawl 589 from indexingnotch 492 and, therefore, plate 391 is returned to the first sensingposition by the spring 499. The stepping relays remain in thepredetermined position to which they have been indexed until such timeas the desired number of copies are printed by the reproducer 29. Atthis time, the contact 191 (Fig. 10) in the counting circuit 41 isopened to remove ground from the conductor 211 so that all or" therelays associated with the stepping relays are released to conditioncircuit 2'1 for controlling the reproduction of a second material inresponse to permutations of holes 314 in a second punched card 351 whichis automatically positioned on the plate 391 in place of the firstpunched card 315 by any of several well known card feeding mechanisms.

When all of the materials have been reproduced and it is desired to stopthe operation of the entire control system, the release switch '19 ismanually operated to open contacts 18 and 210. Contact 219, in opening,removes ground from the plurality of relays associated with the steppingrelays in circuit 21 and in doing so releases all of the associatedrelays so as to place them in condition for the receipt of the nextsequence of permutation of holes 314 on the next card 315 to be sensed.Contact 78, in opening, breaks the holding circuit for the start relay'12 so as to release this relay.

Relay '12, in releasing, opens contacts '14, '15, '16 and 89, andthereby completes the conditioning of the card decoding circuit 21 foruse with a second group of punched cards 315.

Stepping relay circuit The stepping relay or automatic selector circuit2'1 (Fig. 1) includes a plurality of stepping relays which aresequentially indexed into predetermined positions under the control ofeither the tape decoding unit 20 or the card decoding circuit 21. Afirst group of the stepping relays selectively controls the. coincidencecircuit so that the reproducer 28 is energized under the control of thepredetermined position of the first group of stepping relays. A secondgroup of step ping relays sets up the counting circuit ll so as tocontrol the ejection of the material or microfilm being reproduced aftera predetermined number of printed copies have been made. The steppingrelays in circuit 27 also selectively position a plurality of stencilbelts engaged thereby so that the same character is moved intostenciling position as that which designates the particular contact inthe first contact bank 5 73 grounded by either the tape or card decodingcircuits 2i), 2 5.

Circuit 27 includes a plurality of stepping relays I78, M5 (Fig. 6), M6,M7, M8 (Fig. '7), till, 420 (Fig. 8), each of which has a first bank ofcircularly arranged contacts I73 associated therewith. Each contact I73is designated by a par ticular character and is directly connected to alike designated conductor in the cable I72 through a conductor I74.Although only seven stepping relays are shown in the drawing, it isobvious that any number of similarly connected stepping relay stages maybe inserted into the sequence between the relays shown in Fig.6 and Fig.7 and between the stepping relays shown in Fig. '7 and Fig. 8. Thenumber of stepping relay stages is determined by the number ofcharacters which it is desired to print on each copy made by thereproducer 23.

As explained in conjunction with the descrip tion of the card and tapedecoding circuits 2!,

23), the stepping relay I 78 is energized by the I manual closure ofstart key II to. connect battery 73 to battery" conductor 9% throughconductor $3 and contact 34. Rela 778, being selfindexing; rotates itsassociated selector arms I79 and IE1! until arm I79 is positioned upon acontact I73 which has been grounded by the action of either of thedecoding circuits 2t, ZI, in response to a first permutation of holesrepresent ing an alphabetic, numerical, or punctuative character.

Selector arm I79 thereupon completes a. circuit from grounded contactI73 to battery conductor 93 to operate relay 9 5. Relay 95, whenoperated, opens contact 34 to remove the battery from the decodingcircuits, opens contact I75 to stop the rotation of relay I'IQ so thatarm I73 remains imposition on a grounded contact I 73, and, closescontact It'd to provide ground from conductor I 2 I i for the operatingcoils of relays 95' and I 9. 7.

The removal of battery from the decoding, circults advances the tape 5ior card 3 I5 so. that a new permutation of holes 56 or 3 I l is movedinto sensing position. The movement of the tape iii or card 3I5 removesground from the grounded cont-act I73 so that relay I94, in operating,opens contact I93 to prevent av premature release of relay I9 1 in theevent the same conductor in the cable. I72 as before is subsequentlygrounded, and closes contact ZIZ to connect grounded battery 2I3 tobattery conductor 96 through the contact 2 I5 and conductor 2 M.

The application of battery M3. to conductor ZI I also energizes steppingrelay H5 through a contact 33! of the relay 2H1 and a contact 432 of therelay M5. Relay H5, when energized, rotates a pair of electricallyinterconnected selector arms 433, 43 i associated therewith until arm 3%is positioned on the contact I73 grounded by the decoding circuits 20 or21 in response to the seci6 ond permutati'on of holes. 51}: or 31 3..Arm. 433 thereupon completes a circuit: energizing relay H6 from thegrounded contact I 73, arms 333, tilt; a conducting ring 535, aconductor 35, a contact 537 of a relay 438, a conductor Q39, theoperating coil of relay ZIB, conductor 2M, contact 2'! 2, and thence tothe grounded battery 2 I3.

Operation of relay 2 I 6 opens contact 2 I5 todi'sconnect battery 2I3from conductor 96, opens contact 43! to stop the rotation of theselector arms 533, 434', and closes a contact 450 to apply ground fromconductor 2 I I to the operating coils of relays 2 I 6 and 438-.

The removal of battery 2 I3' from the deco-ding circuit advances thetape 51 or card 3I5 so that a third permutation of holes are moved intosensing position and ground is removed from selector arm 333. Theremoval of ground from arm 433 operates relay 438 to open contact 437and to close a contact 45I whereby a grounded battery 452 is connectedthrough contact 4 5I, a conductor 453, a contact 454 of a relay 455(Fig. '7) tothe battery conductor 98. The re-esta'bli'shment of thebattery circuit through conductor 96 to the decoding circuit 21! or 27energizes a pluraliy oi relays therein to close a ground path to aconductor 52 or 3I3 designated by a predetermined character. Battery 452also energizes the stepping relay H5 through conductor 453, a contactttil of relay 455 and a contact MI.

Assuming that the designation of the conductor 52 or MS to be groundedby the third permutation of holes 577 or 3M represents a digit in thehundreds denominational column of the numerical designation of thematerial or microfilm to be reproduced, the stepping relay H6 indexesapair of selector arms 45B and 457 over the circul'arly arranged contacts473 until such time as the contact I73 grounded by a conductor in the Icable I72 is reached. At this time, a circuit is completed from thegrounded contact I73 through the selector arms 56, 57, a conducting ring658, a conductor $59, a contact 479 of a relay llI, a conductor 472, theoperating coil of the relay 4575 and thence to battery conductor 453.This circuit operates relay 455 to open the contacts I56 and tilt and toclose a contact 473.

Contact 373, in closing, connects ground from theoonductor 2H to theoperating coil of the relays 355 and 4H.

Contact 359, in opening, removes the energization of the stepping relaytlIt so that: the selector arm 56 associated therewith remains inposition on the contact I73 grounded by the decoding circuits inresponse to the third permutation of holes. Contact 354, in opening,removes ground from the battery conductor $6 so that the relays in thedecoding circuits at or 2| release and advance a fourth permutation ofholes into sensing'position. Relay 4I6, in addition to the first bank ofcontacts 1'53, has'a second bank of circularly arranged contacts 378which are progressively contacted by a pair of electricallyinterconnected selector arms 475, 4 78. The arms 475, 5576 are securedto the same stepping relay shaft Iiifil (Fig. 14) as the arms 555, 457so that arms 456 and 475 are simultaneously positioned upon likedesignated contacts I73, l'l l, respectively.

As the fourth permutation of holes is moved.

17 relays I94 and 43B. Relay 41I, in operating, opens the contact 410and close a pair of contacts 411 and 418 associated therewith.

Contact 418, in opening, prevents a premature release of the relay 41Iin the same manner as described in conjunction with the operation of therelays I94 and 438.

Contact 411, in closing, connects a grounded switch arm 419 of the relay41I through a conductor 499, a conducting ring 49I, the selector arms415 and 419, contact 414 to one of a plurality of conductors 492. Theconductors 492 interconnect the contacts 414 of the stepping relay 4I6with the hundreds denominational column control in the coincidencecircuit 28.

Contact 418, in closing, connects a grounded battery 493 through aconductor 494, a contact 495 of a relay 496 to the battery conductor 96to energize the relays in one of the decoding circuits 20, 2I. Steppingrelay M1 is also energized at this time by the battery 493.

The re-energization of the decoding circuit grounds a particularconductor in the cable I12 which is designated by a numerical characterrepresentative of the digit in the tens denominational column of thenumerical designation of the material to be printed. The stepping relay4I1 which was energized by the closure of contact 418 rotates two pairsof electrically interconnected selector arms 491, 498, and 499, 500 overthe two banks of circularly arranged contacts I13 and SUI, respectively,until such time as the selector arm 499 is positioned upon a particularcontact I13 which is grounded by the fourth permutation of holes S or3I4. At this time, the relay 496 is operated to stop the rotation of thestepping relay M1 and to remove the energization from the decodingcircuits 20 or 2|.

The removal of the decoding circuit energization advances a fifthpermutation of holes 50 or 3I4 into sensing position and in doing sooperates a relay SID in the same manner as previously described inconjunction with the plurality of relays I94, 438 and 4H. Relay SIO, inoperating, closes contacts SI I, SI2 and opens a contact 5I3. Contact SII, in closing, connects a grounded switch arm SI4 of the relay 5H!through a conductor SIS, a conducting ring SIS, the arms 491, 498, thecontact SDI, to one of a plurality of conductors SI1, which conductorsSI1 are connected to the tens denominational control of the coincidencecircuit 28 in Fig. 9.

Contact 5I2, in closing, and contact 5I3, in opening, roduce the sameefiect as that previously described in conjunction with the relay 41Iassociated with the stepping relay 4I6.

Stepping relay 4I8, which is energized by the closure of contact SI2,rotates two pairs of electrically interconnected selector arms SIB, SI 9and S30, 53I until the arm 5 I8 is in position on a contact I13connected to the particular conductor in cable I12 which was grounded bythe fifth permutation of holes 59 or 3I4 representing the desired digitin the units denominational column. Relays S32 and 533 are operated inthe same manner as previously described so that a grounded contact 534,now closed, provides ground through a conductor 535, a conducting ring536, the arms S30, S3I, one of a bank of contacts 531 to one of aplurality of conductors 538 which are connected to the unitsdenominational column control of the coincidence circuit 28 in Fig. 9.Conductor 535 also connects the grounded contact 534 to an alarm circuitin the coincidence circuit 28 (Fig. 9).

Stepping relay M 9 and relays S39 and 549 (Fig. 8) associated therewithare operated in the same manner as described in conjunction with theoperation of relays M6 to 4I8, inclusive, so that relay 4I9 rotates twopairs of electrically interconnected selector arms 559, SSI and 552, 553over contacts I13 and 554, respectively, until such time as arm S59advances into position on the contact I13 grounded by a permutation ofholes 59 or SM representing the digit in the tens denominational columnof the number indicating the quantity of copies to be made by thereproducer 29. Relays 539 and 540 operate to close a contact 555 whichconnects a grounded switch arm 559 through a conductor 551, a conductingring 558, arms S52, 553, to one of the contacts 554. Each of thedesignated contacts 554 is connected through a conductor 559 to a likedesignated contact on a tens denominational column relay in the countingcircuit 4| (Fig. 10).

The stepping relay 429 and relays SH and S12 associated therewithoperate in the same manner as the preceding relays M9, 539 and 540 toprovide ground through a contact 513, a conductor 514, a conducting rin515, a pair of electrically interconnected selector arms S16, 511, toone of the bank of contacts 518. Each of a plurality of conductors 519electrically interconnect like designated contacts in the bank ofcontacts 518 and a bank of contacts associated with the unitsdenominational column stepping relay in the counting circuit 4! (Fig.10).

Relay 512, in operating, closes its contact 59! to connect groundthrough a conductor 592 (Figs. 5 and 8) to the operating coil of relay590 (Fig. 5) to operate said relay for recycling the indexing means forthe control cards 3 I 5.

Since the relay 429 is the last of the plurality of sequentiallyoperated stepping relays in circuit 21, the attainment of itspredetermined position under control of the punched card 3| 5 or tape SIcompletes the operational cycle of the stepping relay circuit 21. All ofthe stepping relays and the control relays associated therewith remainin their predetermined positions until such time as the desired numberof copies are made by the reproducer 29, which number is represented bythe predetermined positions of the selector arms associated with thesecond banks of contacts 554 and 518 of the relays M9 and 420. At thistime, contact I91 (Fig. 10) is opened to remove ground from theconductor 2I I. The removal of ground from conductor 2II releases theplurality of relays 95, I94, 2I6, 438, 455, MI, 496, SIB, 532,533, 539,540, 511, 512 associated with the stepping relays I18 and MS to 429,inclusive, so that the stepping relay circuit 21 is again in conditionfor a new cycle of operation for controlling the reproduction of asecond material or microfilm.

Coincidence circuit The coincidence circuit 28 (Fig. 1) compares apredetermined number of digits in the numerical designation of thematerial in printing position with the numerical designation of theconductors 492, SH and 538 (Fig. 7) grounded by the stepping relaycircuit 21 under the control of either of the decoding circuits 29 or2|. If the two designations are identical, the coincidence circuit 28provides a closed series path from a grounded battery 129 to the relay82 (Fig. 11) so 2.; to reestablish the operation Of the reproducer Anembodiment of the circuit 28 shown in Fig. 9 includes three identicalcontrol circuits, each of which determines the identity of designationsin a difi'erentdenominational column. The hundreds denominational columncoincidence control comprises four relays 596a, 591a, 593a and 599a, theoperating coils of which are connected to grounded batteries 6%, old,ill and 6&2, respectively. A plurality of conductors tit, 5M, M5 and6&6- interconnect the other side of the operating coils of the relays596a to 598a, inclusive, with a first row of sensing brushes 6H (Fig.11) through a cable 6E8 (Figs. 9 and 11).

The sensing brushes iii? are selectively grounded by a permutation ofholes Bid in a holder 62o (Figs. 12 and 13) carrying a material ormicrofilm 83% when the holder 62b is moved into sensing position beneatha sensing head 63 l. A grounded carrier W3 is stopped in sensingposition beneath the head t3! by the opening of limit switch 85, whichopening removes the energization or the relay 82 so that contact atopens.

The various permutations of holes 3i!) ground certain of the brushesiii! to operate certain of the relays 5960; to 599a, inclusive,associated therewith. The row of holes tit and two other vertical rowsof holes 632, 633 in Fig. 12 represent the hundreds, tens, and unitsdenominational columns, respectively, of the material or microfilmdesignation when considered from left to right in that view. The chartbelow shows the particular number in the denominational column which isrepresented by the operation of various combinations of relays inresponse to the grounds provided by the three rows of holes M9, 632, 833in Fig. 12.

Relays Operated Digit Number 0 597 a, b, c

598 a, b, c

The conductors 4532 (Figs. 7 and 9) which are selectively grounded bythe arm 475 (Fig. '7) are directly connected to a plurality of contacts63 635, 636,631 538, 639, tit, 66!, G iil, 653 controlled by the relay596a. A series circuit is completed from one of the contacts 634 to 643,inclusive, through contacts associated with the relays 591a, 598a and599a, a conductor 650, the operating coil of a hundreds denominationalcolumn check relay tel to a grounded battery 652 in accordance with theparticular operated combination of relays 56a to 599a, inclusive. If theseries circuit closed by the operation of certain of the relays 596a to59%, inclusive, representing a particular digit in the material ormicrofilm designation, connects a conductor Q92 which is connected tothe contact l'i i designated by the same digit, ground is applied to theoperating coil of relay 65l to operate said relay. Relay ESL inoperating, closes a contact 653 and opens a contact 65d.

Contact 65d, in opening, breaks a circuit from grounded conductor 535(Figs. '7 and 9) through a conductor [565, the contact 654, a conductor5H], the operating coil of an alarm 67! to grounded battery M2. Thealarm fill is provided to indicate the lack of identity between thematerial designation and the designation set up by the stepping relaystit to M3, inclusive, under the control of the decoding circuits 28 or2|. If the check relay 65l operates to open the contact 654, ground isnot applied through this contact to grounded battery 6'52 so that thealarm is not operated. However, in the event the two designations arenot identical in the hundreds denominational column, check relay 65!would not be operated and thus contact 654, which remains closed, wouldprovide ground from conductor 535 to operate the alarm GM as anindication of a lack of identity.

Contact 653, in closing, completes a circuit between a contact 673 ofthe tens denominational column check relay old and a conductor file(Figs. 9 and 11) which is connected to ground through the operating coilof the reproducer start relay 82 (Fig. 11). However, if the hundredsdenominational column designation represented by the hole 6 i 9 sensedby the first row of brushes 6 l i and the designation of the particulargrounded contact i'M (Fig. 7) are not identical, check relay 65! is notoperated to close contact 653 whereby start relay 82 (Fig. 11) is notoperated to re-establish theoperation or the reproducer 29.

I Each of the relays Went to 599a, inclusive, also has one of aplurality of normally open holding circuit contacts 355, etc, 65?, 658,respectively, associated therewith. Each of the contacts 655 to s58,inclusive, is connected to ground through a conductor ass (Figs. 9 and10), a manual reset switch Efil and the contact 5931. When one of therelays 596a to 599a, inclusive, is operated, one or the contacts 655,6555, 657, 658 associated therewith is closed to apply ground to theoperating coil of the particular relay so as to hold that relay operatedafter ground is removed from brushes Hi. The relays remain operated byvirtue of this ground until such time as contact I91 (Fig. 10) is openedto indicate completion of the reproduction of the desired number ofprinted copies.

. The tens denominational column control includes a plurality of relays5950, 591b, 59%, and 59%, one side of each of which is connected to oneof a plurality of grounded batteries 6%, 691, 692 and 6%, respectively.

The ground connection of the operating coils of these relays areconnected through a plurality of conductors 65M, $95, 695, (it? and thecable 618 to a second row of sensing brushes 698. The brushes 698 arepositioned with respect to the holder 62!) so that the second row ofholes 632 from the left in Fig. 11 are contacted thereby so as to groundvarious combinations of the relays 59th to time, inclusive, inaccordance with the permutations of holes 632 to represent particularcharacters in the tens denominational column as shown in the abovechart. A plurality of normally open holding circuit contacts B99, 106,Kill, 702, associated with the relays 5981) to 599b, respectively,function as disclosed in conjunction with the operation of relays 59600to 5950. so as to complete a holding circuit from conductor 659 tomaintain the selected relays operated.

The plurality of conductors 5 l 8 (Figs. '7 and 9) one of which isgrounded by an associated contact 50!, are connected through theplurality of contacts associated with the relays 5960 to 59%, inclusive,a conductor 503, the operating coil of the tens denominational columncheck relay 61 3 to a grounded battery FM. The series path closedthrough these contacts in response to the per-

